Vampires Among Us [Vampires Among Us 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)

with your family, and made it sound as if I was actually rooming with your sister,” Erica finished.
    “That’s probably for the best,” Kevin reasoned. “There is little reason to give the gossip mill any more information than necessary.”
    He watched as the redness slowly faded from her face, and pondered how to approach the next subject. “I’d like to take you to a restaurant on the other side of town one evening for dinner. From what I am told, they make the best burgers around. They are supposed to specialize in gourmet burgers, and I believe they have a wide variety of other items on the menu. Would you like to accompany me there?”
    Kevin had been trying to figure out a way of setting up a date with her. Their situation was a bit awkward since they were already living together, but he knew he had to start somewhere. A thought suddenly occurred to him. “You know, I think Davidrick is still undecided as to where to take Jordan on their date Friday night. Jordan is one of us, so neither will be eating. However, it might be fun for all of us to meet up together.”
    Erica gave him a bright smile. Sometimes his old world charm came to the surface, no matter how hard he tried to keep it hidden and stay up with the times. This was one of those times. “That sounds like fun. Davidrick reminds me of a little lost boy when you bring up the subject of the opposite sex. I assume he has had little experience in this area?” Erica asked, as she looked up at Kevin.
    “You are very perceptive,” Kevin replied to her with a grin. “Are you sure you won’t mind if we all met at the restaurant? There will be three vampires to your one human, but you have nothing to fear.” Kevin kept his voice low, and was thankful there was no one else around them.
    “Why would I mind? I’ll just have three vamps watching me eat my dinner, instead of the usual one! What a change!” Erica replied with a wide grin, and Kevin recognized her teasing him. This was a side of her that he found rather intriguing, and wished he could bring it out more often. The deeper he dug into this woman, the more he found himself completely and irresistibly falling for her. She seemed to possess every quality Kevin ever wanted in a mate. Although he was well aware of her ongoing emotional problems, he felt sure they were temporary. She just needed a little time to come out of her shell and feel safe again. And he was willing to give her that time. He was also willing to bet that under that shy, scared, little doe was a very strong, stubborn woman who could hold her own, even against a vampire like him!
     
    * * * *
     
    Friday evening arrived quickly, and both Kevin and Erica found themselves a little nervous about their first date. They met Davidrick and Jordan at the restaurant, and although Kevin was a bit nervous as to how the evening was going to turn out, he still had high hopes that Erica would enjoy herself.
    The restaurant turned out to be a combination bar and restaurant. There was a dance floor in the middle of the large room, with tables and chairs surrounding it. The bar was over to the left side of the front door, with the kitchens immediately behind that.
    They were seated at a large table just off the dance floor, and Erica took a moment to take in her surroundings. She glanced around, and her eyes immediately found Kevin as soon as she was finished with her visual tour. He gave her a warm smile, as he lightly clasped her hand under the table.
    Never meeting her before, Erica wasn’t sure what to expect out of Jordan. Within minutes of being introduced, Erica knew she had found another friend. She was delighted to find Jordan open and friendly. Erica quickly realized that Jordan was also funny, a little loud, spoke her mind, and the two women felt an immediate kinship toward one another.
    When their waiter came to take their drink order, Kevin glanced up to him and cocked his eyebrow slightly. The waiter looked Kevin in the eye and nodded his head almost imperceptibly. Their waiter was one of them. Good, that should cut down on problems of explaining why only one in the group was actually eating. Kevin ordered a round of drinks for everyone while Erica looked over the menu.
    Two hours later, Kevin sat back observing everything going on around him. He had been pleased at how well Erica and Jordan had seemed to bond. He noted that it didn’t bother Erica in the slightest that Jordan was a vampire. She just treated her like any